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Saudi Arabia seeks ancient artifacts from abroad

Saudi Arabia says it has retrieved more than 10,000 of its artifacts from other countries, according to official data carried by the local press Thursday, DPA reported.

"Retrieving antiquities has now become a national issue," said Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) said in remarks carried by Jeddah's English-language daily Arab News.

The reports did not clarify which artifacts the desert kingdom had recovered and whether the authorities had paid for the items.

The prince announced that an exhibition of the recovered antiquities would soon be held.

Saudi would also establish a "major Islamic and national museum" and another one dedicated to the Koran.

Earlier this year, the SCTA said it would take the issues of smuggling antiquities seriously and work strongly through Interpol and other international organizations to curb the illegal trade in artifacts.